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Elche are close to signing Morocco international Hakim Ziyech on a free transfer, according to reports in Spain.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Qatari side Al-Duhail earlier this year. Spanish outlet AS says talks are at an advanced stage and the La Liga side are confident of getting the deal done.
Ziyech has turned down bigger financial offers from Turkey and the Middle East. Instead, he is understood to see Spain as the best chance to relaunch his career and put himself back in contention for Morocco.
The midfielder has had a difficult few years. Since leaving Ajax in 2020 for a ÂŁ33m move to Chelsea, he has struggled to hold down a regular place. Short spells at Galatasaray and Al-Duhail also failed to work out, leaving him without a team for much of this year.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui recently explained why Ziyech was not included in his latest squad, saying the issue was only down to fitness: “There are no problems with Ziyech. We are just waiting for him to find a team and get back to competition, because he is an important player for the national side. Once he is ready, the door is open.”
Ziyech has 56 caps for Morocco and was a key part of the side that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022. But his lack of club football has left him on the sidelines in recent months.
For Elche, the signing would be a major boost ahead of the new La Liga season. Reports in Spain say the club believe they are in pole position, despite rival interest from other European and Arab clubs.
If the move is completed, it would give Ziyech the chance to restart his career in Spain and push for a recall to the Morocco national team for the 2025 AFCON next December.
